Safety system for passenger conveyor, passenger conveyor, and operation method for passenger conveyor

Abstract

To provide a safety system for a passenger conveyor, which can prevent damage of a footstep even when a long object held by a passenger gets stuck between the footstep and a ceiling.SOLUTION: An elevator safety system comprises a long object determination unit, a rising rate acquisition unit, a rising rate determination unit and a brake control unit. The long object determination unit determines whether a passenger about to ride a passenger conveyor holds a long object. The rising rate acquisition unit acquires a motor current rising rate of a drive motor that circulates footsteps. If a motor current value of the drive motor reaches a predetermined excessive load current value, the rising rate determination unit determines whether the motor current rising rates when the motor current value reaches the excessive load current value is equal to or higher than a reference rising rate. The brake control unit operates a brake to stop the circulation of the footsteps when it is determined that the motor current rising rate is equal to or higher than the reference rising rate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The embodiments relate to a passenger conveyor safety system, a passenger conveyor, and a method of operating a passenger conveyor. [Background technology]

[0002] There are cases where a passenger carrying a long object gets on to a passenger conveyor. If this passenger stops on a step and places the long object vertically on the step, the top end of the long object may interfere with the ceiling of the building. If the long object gets caught between the step and the ceiling, the step may become restricted. If the step receives further driving force in this state, the step may be damaged. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-45930 [Patent Document 2] JP 2020-189715 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The embodiments aim to provide a passenger conveyor safety system, a passenger conveyor, and an operating method for a passenger conveyor that can prevent damage to the steps even if a long object held by a passenger becomes caught between the steps and the ceiling. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A safety system for a passenger conveyor according to an embodiment includes a long object determination unit, an increase rate acquisition unit, an increase rate determination unit, and a brake control unit. The long object determination unit determines whether or not a passenger who gets on the passenger conveyor is carrying a long object having a length equal to or greater than a reference length. The increase rate acquisition unit acquires a motor current increase rate of a drive motor that moves the steps in a circular motion when the long object determination unit determines that the passenger is carrying a long object. When the motor current value of the drive motor reaches a predetermined overload current value, the increase rate determination unit determines whether or not the motor current increase rate acquired by the increase rate acquisition unit when the motor current value reaches the overload current value is equal to or greater than a reference increase rate. When the increase rate determination unit determines that the motor current increase rate is equal to or greater than the reference increase rate, the brake control unit activates the brake to stop the circular motion of the steps.

[0006] A passenger conveyor according to an embodiment includes the passenger conveyor safety system described above.

[0007] A method of operating a passenger conveyor in accordance with an embodiment includes the steps of: determining whether a passenger boarding the passenger conveyor is carrying a long object having a length equal to or greater than a reference length; acquiring a motor current rise rate of a drive motor that moves the steps in a circular motion if it is determined that the passenger is carrying a long object; determining, when the motor current value of the drive motor reaches a predetermined overload current value, whether the motor current rise rate at the time the motor current value reached the overload current value is equal to or greater than a reference rise rate; and activating a brake to stop the circular movement of the steps if it is determined that the motor current rise rate is equal to or greater than the reference rise rate. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic overall configuration of a passenger conveyor according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the passenger conveyor safety system according to this embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the entrance length information acquisition unit shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the exit entrance length information acquisition unit shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing how the motor current value changes when the number of passengers gradually increases. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a state in which a long object held by a passenger is caught between the steps and the ceiling. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing how the motor current value changes when a long object carried by a passenger is caught between the step and the ceiling. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flowchart of the method for operating the passenger conveyor according to this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, a passenger conveyor safety system, a passenger conveyor, and a method of operating the passenger conveyor according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] First, a passenger conveyor 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Here, an escalator will be taken as an example of the passenger conveyor 1, but the passenger conveyor 1 according to this embodiment may also be a moving walkway.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the passenger conveyor 1 includes a plurality of steps 2, a drive device 3, a pair of balustrades 4, a pair of skirts 5, a pair of handrail decks 6, and a pair of handrail belts 7.

[0012] The steps 2 are connected by an endless step chain 8. The steps 2 move in a circular manner between an entrance 10 on a lower floor and an exit 11 on an upper floor while being guided by a guide rail 9. In this embodiment, the steps 2 are described as an example in which passengers move in the direction from the entrance 10 on a lower floor toward the exit 11 on an upper floor.

[0013] The driving device 3 circulates the steps 2 together with the handrail belt 7. The driving device 3 may include a driving motor 12 and a reducer 13. The driving device 3 is provided with a brake 14. The brake 14 is configured to be able to stop the rotation of the driving motor 12 and hold it in a stopped state.

[0014] The configuration for circulating the steps 2 will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 1, a truss 15 is installed under the floor of a building. An upper machine room 16 is provided on the upper floor side of the truss 15, and a driving sprocket 17 is housed in the upper machine room 16 together with the driving device 3. The rotation of the driving device 3 is transmitted to the driving sprocket 17 by a driving chain 18. A lower machine room 19 is provided on the lower floor side of the truss 15, and a driven sprocket 20 is housed in the lower machine room 19. The above-mentioned step chain 8 is stretched between the driving sprocket 17 and the driven sprocket 20. When the driving motor 12 of the driving device 3 is driven, the driving sprocket 17 rotates and the step chain 8 moves in a circulating manner. In this way, the steps 2 move in a circulating manner between the entrance 10 and the exit 11 to transport passengers.

[0015] The balustrades 4 are provided vertically on both the left and right sides of the steps 2. The balustrades 4 are formed of a material having transparency, for example, glass. The balustrades 4 extend from the boarding entrance 10 of the lower floor to the exit entrance 11 of the upper floor. The skirts 5 cover the lower parts of the corresponding balustrades 4. The skirts 5 extend from the boarding entrance 10 toward the exit entrance 11, similar to the balustrades 4. The handrail decks 6 extend along the outer periphery of the balustrades 4. The handrail decks 6 may also be called handrail rails. The handrail belts 7 move while being guided by the handrail decks 6. The handrail belts 7 move in the moving direction D in synchronization with the steps 2. The handrail belts 7 are stretched around the handrail belt sheaves 21 provided in the truss 15. The handrail belt sheaves 21 are configured to rotate in synchronization with the driving sprocket 17, and the handrail belts 7 move in a circular motion due to the rotation of the handrail belt sheaves 21.

[0016] The handrail deck 6 is provided with lighting devices 22. The lighting devices 22 are formed so as to fit along the handrail deck 6. The skirt 5 is provided with speakers 23. The speakers 23 are disposed on both the lower floor side and the upper floor side.

[0017] The entrance 10 is provided with a pair of entrance poles 24. The exit 11 is provided with a pair of exit poles 25.

[0018] The passenger conveyor 1 according to this embodiment further includes a safety system 30. The safety system 30 of the passenger conveyor according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the safety system 30 may include an entrance length information acquisition unit 31, an exit length information acquisition unit 32, and a safety device 40.

[0020] The entrance length information acquisition unit 31 acquires length information of luggage carried by passengers who board the passenger conveyor 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the entrance length information acquisition unit 31 may include an entrance pole camera 33 and an entrance ceiling camera 34.

[0021] The entrance pole camera 33 is an example of a first imaging unit, and may be provided on one of the entrance poles 24. The entrance pole camera 33 may be disposed on the upper part of the entrance pole 24. The entrance pole camera 33 captures an image of the luggage in a first direction to create an image. For example, the entrance pole camera 33 captures an image of the luggage from a horizontal direction, diagonally forward. Forward means forward in the direction in which the passengers are traveling. The image created contains an image of the luggage, and this image of the luggage includes length information of the luggage.

[0022] The entrance ceiling camera 34 is an example of a second imaging unit, and may be provided on the ceiling 26 of the entrance 10. The entrance ceiling camera 34 captures an image of the luggage in a second direction different from the first direction, and creates an image. For example, the entrance ceiling camera 34 captures an image of the luggage from above in a vertical direction. This image of the luggage includes length information of the luggage.

[0023] The exit length information acquisition unit 32 acquires length information of luggage carried by passengers getting off the passenger conveyor 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the exit length information acquisition unit 32 may include an exit pole camera 35 and an exit ceiling camera 36.

[0024] The exit pole camera 35 is an example of a third imaging unit, and may be provided on one of the exit poles 25. The exit pole camera 35 may be disposed on the upper part of the exit pole 25. The exit pole camera 35 captures an image of the baggage in a third direction to create an image. For example, the exit pole camera 35 captures an image of the baggage in a horizontal direction, from diagonally rearward. Rearward means rearward in the direction in which the passengers are traveling. The image created contains an image of the baggage, and the image of the baggage includes length information of the baggage.

[0025] Exit ceiling camera 36 is an example of a fourth imaging unit, and may be provided on ceiling 26 of exit 11. Exit ceiling camera 36 captures an image of luggage in a fourth direction that is different from the third direction, and creates an image. For example, exit ceiling camera 36 captures an image of luggage from above in the vertical direction. This image of the luggage includes length information of the luggage.

[0026] Next, the safety device 40 will be described. The safety device 40 may include a long object determination unit 41, an alighting determination unit 42, a current measurement unit 43, a current determination unit 44, an increase rate acquisition unit 45, an increase rate determination unit 46, a brake control unit 47, and an alarm unit 49. The safety device 40 may be incorporated in a control device (not shown) of the passenger conveyor 1.

[0027] 2, the long object determination unit 41 determines whether or not a passenger getting on the passenger conveyor 1 is carrying a long object 60 having a length equal to or greater than a reference length. For example, the long object determination unit 41 may determine whether or not a piece of luggage is a long object 60 based on length information of the piece of luggage acquired by the entrance length information acquisition unit 31. The long object 60 means a piece of luggage having a length equal to or greater than the reference length, as described above.

[0028] The long object determination unit 41 according to this embodiment may calculate the length of the luggage from an image captured by the entrance pole camera 33 and an image captured by the entrance ceiling camera 34. For example, the actual length of the luggage may be calculated from the length of the luggage on each image by Pythagoras' theorem.

[0029] Furthermore, the long object determination unit 41 may compare the calculated length of the luggage with a reference length to determine whether the length of the luggage is equal to or longer than the reference length. If the length of the luggage is equal to or longer than the reference length, the long object determination unit 41 may determine that the passenger getting on the passenger conveyor 1 is carrying a long object 60. The reference length may be the minimum distance between the steps 2 of the passenger conveyor 1 and the ceiling 26. The minimum distance may be the distance perpendicular to the steps 2. The reference length may be a value including a margin for the minimum distance.

[0030] The alighting determination unit 42 determines whether or not a passenger getting off the passenger conveyor 1 is carrying a long object 60. For example, the alighting determination unit 42 may determine whether or not the luggage is a long object 60 based on the length information of the luggage acquired by the exit length information acquisition unit 32.

[0031] The alighting determination unit 42 may calculate the length of the luggage from the image captured by the exit pole camera 35 and the image captured by the exit ceiling camera 36. For example, the actual length of the luggage may be calculated from the length of the luggage on each image by Pythagoras' theorem.

[0032] Further, the alighting determination unit 42 may compare the calculated length of the baggage with a reference length to determine whether the length of the baggage is equal to or longer than the reference length. If the length of the baggage is equal to or longer than the reference length, the alighting determination unit 42 may determine that the passenger alighting from the passenger conveyor 1 is carrying a long object 60. As a result, the alighting determination unit 42 may determine that the passenger carrying the long object 60 determined by the long object determination unit 41 has alighted from the passenger conveyor 1. The reference length may be equal to the reference length used by the long object determination unit 41 described above.

[0033] Alternatively, the alighting determination unit 42 may compare the calculated length of the baggage with the length of the long object 60 calculated by the above-mentioned long object determination unit 41 to determine whether the long object 60 held by a passenger getting off the passenger conveyor 1 is the same as the long object 60 determined by the long object determination unit 41. In this way, the alighting determination unit 42 may determine that a passenger holding the long object 60 determined by the long object determination unit 41 has got off the passenger conveyor 1.

[0034] The current measuring unit 43 measures the motor current value flowing through the drive motor 12 that circulates the steps 2. The current measuring unit 43 may continuously measure the motor current value even before the long object determining unit 41 determines that a passenger getting on to the passenger conveyor 1 is carrying a long object 60. The current measuring unit 43 may also continuously measure the motor current value even after the disembarking determining unit 42 determines that a passenger getting off the passenger conveyor 1 is carrying a long object 60.

[0035] The current determination unit 44 determines whether or not the motor current value measured by the current measurement unit 43 has reached a predetermined overload current value. The overload current value may be set as a current value that flows through the drive motor 12 when the number of passengers reaches the capacity, or may be set as a current value that can protect the drive motor 12 and the current supply system to the drive motor 12.

[0036] When the long object determination unit 41 determines that the passenger is carrying a long object 60, the rise rate acquisition unit 45 may acquire a motor current rise rate flowing through the drive motor 12 that circulates the steps 2. For example, the rise rate acquisition unit 45 may calculate the motor current rise rate from the motor current value of the drive motor 12 measured by the above-mentioned current measurement unit 43. The motor current rise rate may be calculated as a rate of change of the motor current value in a predetermined time interval.

[0037] In addition, the increase rate acquisition unit 45 may stop acquiring the motor current increase rate when the above-mentioned alighting determination unit 42 determines that a passenger getting off the passenger conveyor 1 is carrying a long object 60.

[0038] When the motor current value of the drive motor 12 reaches a predetermined overload current value, the increase rate determination unit 46 determines whether or not the motor current increase rate acquired by the increase rate acquisition unit 45 at the time the motor current value reaches the overload current value is equal to or greater than a reference increase rate. In other words, the increase rate determination unit 46 determines whether or not the motor current increase rate calculated immediately before (or calculated last) is equal to or greater than a reference increase rate at the timing when the motor current value reaches the overload current value. The increase rate determination unit 46 determines the motor current increase rate when the current determination unit 44 determines that the motor current value has reached the overload current value.

[0039] The motor current increase rate will be described in more detail with reference to Figs. 5 to 7. Fig. 5 shows how the motor current value changes when the number of passengers on the passenger conveyor 1 gradually increases. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which a long object 60 carried by a passenger is sandwiched between the steps 2 and the ceiling 26. Fig. 7 shows how the motor current value changes when the long object 60 is sandwiched between the steps 2 and the ceiling 26.

[0040] 5, when the number of passengers on the passenger conveyor 1 gradually increases, the motor current value gradually increases slowly and eventually reaches the overload current value. In this case, the motor current increase rate when the motor current value reaches the overload current value is relatively small.

[0041] On the other hand, when the long object 60 is caught between the step 2 and the ceiling 26, the motor current increase rate becomes relatively large. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that a passenger who stops on the step 2 places the long object 60 vertically on the step 2. If the long object 60 is longer than the reference length, as the step 2 moves, the upper end of the long object 60 gradually approaches the horizontal ceiling 26 and eventually collides with the ceiling 26. In this case, it is considered that the long object 60 is caught between the step 2 and the ceiling 26. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the motor current value rises rapidly in a short time and reaches an overload current value.

[0042] In this way, even when the motor current value reaches the overload current value, the manner in which the motor current value rises as shown in Fig. 7 differs from the manner in which the motor current value rises as shown in Fig. 5. The safety system 30 according to this embodiment utilizes this difference in the rate of increase of the motor current value. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the long object 60 is caught between the step 2 and the ceiling 26 based on whether or not the rate of increase of the motor current when the motor current value reaches the overload current value is equal to or greater than the reference rate of increase.

[0043] 2, when the rise rate determination unit 46 determines that the motor current rise rate is equal to or greater than the reference rise rate, the brake control unit 47 activates the brake 14 to stop the circulating movement of the steps 2. In this case, the brake 14 stops the rotation of the drive motor 12 to stop the circulating movement of the steps 2. By activating the brake 14, the steps 2 can be stopped more quickly than when the motor current is cut off.

[0044] When the rate-of-rise determination unit 46 determines that the motor current rate of rise is less than the reference rate of rise, the current control unit 48 stops the supply of motor current to the drive motor 12. For example, the current control unit 48 may operate a breaker (not shown) to cut off the motor current. This stops the rotation of the drive motor 12. The current control unit 48 may also cut off the motor current to the drive motor 12 when it is determined that the motor current rate of rise is equal to or greater than the reference rate of rise.

[0045] When the above-described long object determination unit 41 determines that a passenger is carrying the long object 60, the notification unit 49 may issue a notification to warn the passenger of caution when handling the long object 60. For example, the notification unit 49 may issue an announcement from the above-described speaker 23 to warn the passenger of caution when handling the long object 60.

[0046] Furthermore, when the above-mentioned alighting determination unit 42 determines that a passenger getting off the passenger conveyor 1 is carrying a long object 60, the notification unit 49 may stop the above-mentioned notification.

[0047] The safety device 40 according to this embodiment may further include a speed control unit 50. The speed control unit 50 may reduce the moving speed of the steps 2 when the long object determination unit 41 determines that a passenger is carrying a long object 60. This allows passengers carrying the long object 60 to board safely. The speed control unit 50 may reduce the moving speed of the steps 2 by controlling the drive motor 12 of the drive unit 3 described above. The speed control unit 50 may reduce the moving speed of the steps 2 at the same timing as the start and stop of the notification by the notification unit 49 described above.

[0048] Moreover, the safety device 40 according to the present embodiment may further include a lighting control unit 51. When the long object determination unit 41 determines that the passenger is carrying the long object 60, the lighting control unit 51 may change the lighting mode of the passenger conveyor 1. The lighting control unit 51 may change the lighting mode by controlling the above-mentioned lighting device (see FIG. 1). For example, the lighting control unit 51 may change the color of the lighting of the lighting device 22, or may change the lighting of the lighting device 22 from on to blinking. The lighting control unit 51 may change the lighting mode of the passenger conveyor 1 at the same timing as the start and end of the notification by the above-mentioned notification unit 49. By changing the lighting mode of the passenger conveyor 1, it is possible to alert the passenger carrying the long object 60 and prevent the long object 60 from interfering with the ceiling 26. In addition, it is possible to effectively alert the hearing impaired.

[0049] Next, a method for operating the passenger conveyor according to this embodiment configured as described above will be described. As an example, the method for operating the passenger conveyor shown in the flow chart of Fig. 8 will be described.

[0050] 8, after the passenger conveyor 1 starts operating, in step S1, the entrance length information acquisition unit 31 acquires length information of luggage carried by passengers who board the passenger conveyor 1. For example, images are captured by the entrance pole camera 33 and the entrance ceiling camera 34. Each captured image is transmitted to the safety device 40.

[0051] After step S1, in step S2, the long object determination unit 41 determines whether or not the passenger getting on the passenger conveyor 1 is carrying a long object 60 having a length equal to or longer than a reference length. For example, the length of the baggage is calculated from each image and compared with the reference length. The length of the baggage determined to be a long object 60 may be stored in a storage unit (not shown). If it is determined that the passenger is not carrying a long object 60, the process returns to step S1 described above.

[0052] If it is determined in step S2 that the passenger is carrying a long object 60, then in step S3, the rate of increase in the motor current flowing through the drive motor 12 that moves the steps 2 in a circular manner is acquired by the rate of increase acquisition unit 45. For example, the rate of increase in the motor current is calculated from the motor current value of the drive motor 12 measured by the current measurement unit 43 described above. The calculated rate of increase in the motor current may be stored in a storage unit (not shown).

[0053] In step S3, the notification unit 49 issues a notification to warn users about the care taken when handling the long object 60. For example, an announcement is made from each speaker 23 provided on the skirt 5 to warn users about the care taken when handling the long object 60.

[0054] After step S3, in step S4, the exit length information acquisition unit 32 acquires length information of luggage carried by passengers getting off the passenger conveyor 1. For example, images are captured by the exit pole camera 35 and the exit ceiling camera 36. Each captured image is transmitted to the safety device 40.

[0055] After step S4, in step S5, the alighting determination unit 42 determines whether or not a passenger getting off the passenger conveyor 1 is carrying a long object 60. For example, the length of the baggage is calculated from each image and compared with a reference length.

[0056] If it is determined in step S5 that the passenger getting off the passenger conveyor 1 is carrying the long object 60, then in step S6, the acquisition of the motor current increase rate by the increase rate acquisition unit 45 is stopped. If it is determined that the passenger getting off the passenger conveyor 1 is carrying the long object 60, then it can be assumed that the passenger carrying the long object 60 determined in step S2 has gotten off the passenger conveyor 1. Therefore, it can be assumed that there is no passenger carrying the long object 60 on the passenger conveyor 1. Furthermore, in step S6, the announcement by the notification unit 49 to warn the passenger about the handling of the long object 60 is stopped.

[0057] After step S6, the process returns to step S1 described above.

[0058] If it is determined in step S5 that the passenger getting off the passenger conveyor 1 is not carrying the long object 60, then in step S7, the current determination unit 44 determines whether or not the motor current value has reached the overload current value. If it is determined that the passenger getting off the passenger conveyor 1 is not carrying the long object 60, then it can be assumed that the passenger carrying the long object 60 is still on the passenger conveyor 1. If it is determined in step S7 that the motor current value has not reached the overload current value, then the process returns to step S4 described above.

[0059] If it is determined in step S7 that the motor current value has reached the overload current value, in step S8, the rise rate determination unit 46 determines whether the motor current rise rate obtained when the motor current value reached the overload current value is greater than or equal to the reference rise rate.

[0060] If it is determined in step S8 that the motor current rise rate is equal to or greater than the reference rise rate, then in step S9, the brake control unit 47 operates the brake 14 to stop the circulating movement of the step 2. If the motor current rise rate is equal to or greater than the reference rise rate as shown in Fig. 7, it can be assumed that the step 2 is constrained by a long object 60 held by a passenger on the step 2 being pinched between the step 2 and the ceiling 26 as shown in Fig. 6. Therefore, the brake 14 is operated to bring the step 2 to a sudden stop. This causes the operation of the passenger conveyor 1 to stop.

[0061] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S8 that the motor current rise rate is less than the reference rise rate, then in step S10, the current control unit 48 stops the supply of motor current to the drive motor 12. For example, the current control unit 48 operates a breaker (not shown) to cut off the motor current. This stops the rotation of the drive motor 12, and the operation of the passenger conveyor 1 stops. If the motor current rise rate is less than the reference rise rate, it can be considered that the step 2 is not restrained by the long object 60, but that the capacity of the passenger conveyor 1 has been reached. In this case, the brake 14 does not need to be operated.

[0062] Thus, according to this embodiment, when a passenger carrying a long object 60 gets on the passenger conveyor 1 and the motor current value of the drive motor 12 reaches a predetermined overload current value, it is determined whether the motor current rise rate at the time when the motor current value reaches the overload current value is equal to or greater than a reference rise rate. If the motor current rise rate is equal to or greater than the reference rise rate, the brake 14 is operated to stop the circulating movement of the steps 2. In this case, it can be considered that the long object 60 is sandwiched between the steps 2 and the ceiling 26 of the building in which the passenger conveyor 1 is installed, and the steps 2 are restrained. For this reason, the brake 14 can be operated to rapidly stop the circulating movement of the steps 2, and damage to the steps 2 can be prevented.

[0063] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, length information of luggage carried by a passenger getting on the passenger conveyor 1 is acquired, and based on this length information, it is determined whether or not the luggage is a long object 60. This makes it possible to determine whether or not a passenger getting on the passenger conveyor 1 is carrying a long object 60.

[0064] According to this embodiment, the entrance length information acquisition unit 31 includes the entrance pole camera 33 and the entrance ceiling camera 34, which capture images of the luggage in different directions. This makes it possible to acquire the length of the luggage with high accuracy.

[0065] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to determine whether or not a passenger carrying a long object 60 has disembarked from the passenger conveyor 1. When it is determined that a passenger carrying a long object 60 has disembarked, acquisition of the motor current increase rate of the drive motor 12 is stopped. This allows the operation of the passenger conveyor 1 to be returned to the original operating state.

[0066] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when it is determined that a passenger who has entered the passenger conveyor 1 is carrying a long object 60, an announcement is made to warn the passenger of the long object 60 in handling the long object 60. This makes it possible to warn the passenger carrying the long object 60 and to prevent the long object 60 from interfering with the ceiling 26. This makes it possible to prevent the long object 60 from getting caught between the steps 2 and the ceiling 26.

[0067] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the entrance length information acquisition unit 31 includes the entrance pole camera 33 and the entrance ceiling camera 34. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. As long as the entrance length information acquisition unit 31 can capture images of passengers' luggage in two different directions, the positions and image capturing directions of the two cameras are arbitrary. The same applies to the exit entrance length information acquisition unit 32.

[0068] According to the embodiment described above, even if a long object carried by a passenger becomes caught between the step and the ceiling, damage to the step can be prevented.

[0069] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1: passenger conveyor, 2: steps, 12: drive motor, 14: brake, 22: lighting device, 26: ceiling, 30: safety system, 31: entrance length information acquisition unit, 32: exit entrance length information acquisition unit, 33: entrance entrance pole camera, 34: entrance entrance ceiling camera, 35: exit entrance pole camera, 36: exit entrance ceiling camera, 40: safety device, 41: long object determination unit, 42: exit determination unit, 43: current measurement unit, 44: current determination unit, 45: rise rate acquisition unit, 46: rise rate determination unit, 47: brake control unit, 49: notification unit, 50: speed control unit, 51: lighting control unit, 60: long object

Claims

1. 1. A passenger conveyor safety system comprising: a long object determination unit that determines whether a passenger who gets on the passenger conveyor is carrying a long object having a length equal to or longer than a reference length; an increase rate acquisition unit that acquires an increase rate of a motor current of a drive motor that moves the steps in a circulating manner when the long object determination unit determines that the passenger is carrying the long object; an increase rate determination unit that, when a motor current value of the drive motor reaches a predetermined overload current value, determines whether or not the motor current increase rate acquired by the increase rate acquisition unit when the motor current value reaches the overload current value is equal to or greater than a reference increase rate; a brake control unit that operates a brake to stop the cyclic movement of the steps when the motor current increase rate is determined to be equal to or greater than the reference increase rate by the increase rate determination unit; A passenger conveyor safety system comprising:

2. The passenger conveyor further includes an entrance length information acquisition unit that acquires length information of luggage carried by passengers who board the passenger conveyor, The long object determination unit determines whether the baggage is the long object based on the length information acquired by the entrance length information acquisition unit.

2. A passenger conveyor safety system according to claim 1.

3. The entrance length information acquisition unit includes a first imaging unit that images the luggage, and a second imaging unit that images the luggage in a direction different from that of the first imaging unit.

3. A passenger conveyor safety system according to claim 2.

4. and a disembarking determination unit that determines whether a passenger disembarking from the passenger conveyor is carrying the long object, when the alighting determination unit determines that the passenger is carrying the long object, the increase rate acquisition unit stops acquiring the motor current increase rate.

2. A passenger conveyor safety system according to claim 1.

5. The vehicle further includes a notification unit that issues a notification to warn the passenger about the long object when the long object determination unit determines that the passenger is carrying the long object.

2. A passenger conveyor safety system according to claim 1.

6. The vehicle further includes a speed control unit that reduces a moving speed of the steps when the long object determination unit determines that the passenger is carrying the long object.

2. A passenger conveyor safety system according to claim 1.

7. The vehicle further includes a lighting control unit that changes a lighting state of the passenger conveyor when the long object determination unit determines that the passenger is carrying the long object.

2. A passenger conveyor safety system according to claim 1.

8. A passenger conveyor safety system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, Passenger conveyor.

9. A method of operating a passenger conveyor, comprising: A step of determining whether or not a passenger who gets on the passenger conveyor is carrying a long object having a length equal to or longer than a reference length; acquiring a motor current rise rate of a drive motor that moves the steps in a circulating manner when it is determined that the passenger is carrying the long object; a step of determining, when a motor current value of the drive motor reaches a predetermined overload current value, whether or not the motor current increase rate at the time when the motor current value reaches the overload current value is equal to or greater than a reference increase rate; a step of applying a brake to stop the cyclic movement of the steps when it is determined that the motor current increase rate is equal to or greater than the reference increase rate; A method for operating a passenger conveyor comprising:

Images